The News & Advance

Francis McKinney Knight, age 97, of Appomattox, Virginia, passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2022. Funeral Services will be on Friday, January 6, 2023 at 1pm at Hillsdale Primitive Baptist Church in Summerfield, NC. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Friends and family are invited to gather after the service at a location to be announced. Complete Obituary @ www.westcobbfuneralhome.com

Mildred Preston St. Leger, 91, of Richmond, Va., formerly of Lynchburg, VA, died at home on November 25, 2022 following a short illness. Mildred was known for great perseverance throughout her life. She started working in the medical records department at Johnston Memorial Hospital as a teenager, and was ultimately elected by her peers as President of the American Health Information Management Association. She also worked at Virginia Baptist Hospital, and furthered the careers of hundreds of students in the profession by teaching at Central Virginia Community College, and Jefferson College of Health Sciences. She was a graduate of William King High School and King University. Mildred...

On November 19, 2022 Richard "Dick" Grachan (affectionately known as Poppy) of Lady Lake, FL passed away peacefully while holding the hand of Carol Grachan, his wife of 65 years. He was born in Joliet, IL on March 22, 1937 to George Grachan and Rose Wojtak. Poppy was preceded in eternal glory by his parents, brother Dennis, sister Helen and three sons - Steve, Jim, and Tony. He leaves behind the love of his life, Carol Grachan, with whom he was blessed to spend over 65 loving years. Their happily ever after started in 1955 after a blind date for prom. They raised six children to whom he was a doting and loving father. Poppy leaves behind three children, daughter Debi Lacy and her husband...

Beatrice (Bea) Rowland Smith, 92, of Chantilly, VA passed away on October 15, 2022. Bea is survived by her son and daughter, Robert Smith and Laurie Miehm, her grandchildren, Alex, Phillip, and Colleen Miehm, Jeremy and Justin Smith as well as her great grandchildren, Madeline Rose, and James MacDuff Miehm and Emory Faris as well as many loved nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She was proceeded in death by her husband, Reverend James Henry Smith, her parents Sandford Hurt Rowland and Jennie Annie Dalton, her brothers, Elmo, Clide, Aubrey, Roy, and Steuart, and her sister Beulah. Bea was a graduate of Altavista High School, Averett College - AA, the Women's Missionary Union...

It is with great sadness that the family of Patsy Irene Johnson announce her passing on October 14, 2022 in Lenoir City, Tennessee. She was the eldest daughter of Gladys Taylor Sharpe and Louis Andrew Sharpe, born on September 16, 1936 in Wytheville, Virginia. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Alvin M. Johnson of Loudon, TN as well as daughters Lisa S. Farley, (Bill), of Huddleston, VA, Jennifer A. Jarvis, (Bill), of Southport, NC and stepson, Jeff Johnson, (Masako), of McLean, VA. Sister Peggy Ward of Durham, NC, grandchildren Logan Jarvis, Charlottesville, VA, Yusuke Johnson, McLean, VA, Erik Johnson, Philadelphia, PA, and Hannah Westover, (Baxter), Charlotte, NC survive her as...

Doris Lorraine Saum, 87, formerly of Hagerstown, MD went to be with the Lord on Friday, August 19, 2022. She was the widow of Donald Franklin Saum. Doris and Don shared an immeasurable love and mutual respect for 56 wonderful years. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents William Edward Metz and Gladys Irene Metz, sister Roberta (Bea) Smith, brothers LeRoy Metz, and Jerry Metz. Surviving are her children, Melissa A. Walters (Bob), Donald F. Saum, II (Bonne), Kenneth E. Saum, (Liz), and Elizabeth A. Bittner (Shannon); sister Barbara (Bob) Anderson; Grandchildren Shelby Saum, Taylor Saum, Neile Saum, Holley Saum, Lauren Beckerle, Mitchell Saum, Meredith Etheridge, Matt...

Michael Harris Whalen, 89 of Easton, MD, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2022. She is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Robert Whalen, and her siblings William "Bill" Harris, Margaret Harris, Charlotte Harris, and Rita Harris. She is survived by her nephews Bill Bowling, Mark Bowling, Mike Bowling, Bruce Harris, and Greg Harris, and nieces Suzanne Bowling, Odrie Leah Froman, Karin Bowling, and Cindy H. Beazell, and additional nieces and nephews living in Michigan. Michael's favorite ways to pass time were being outside and enjoying nature's beauty, creating beautiful paintings, and spending time with her numerous dogs. Michael was kind, compassionate, generous and a learner...

James Randall Hiner, 79, of Trent Woods, passed away on Wednesday, August 10, 2022. Randy was born on November 4,1942 in Staunton, Virginia to Horace Richard Hiner and Anna Katharine Dugger. Randy is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Elaine Carlson Hiner; children, Adrienne Hiner Cole (Walter) of Raleigh, James Randall Hiner, Jr. (Ali Given) of New Bern, and Lee Carlson Hiner (Dana) of New Bern; grandchildren, Willard "Will" Walter Cole IV, Sundin Claire Cole and Anderson James Cole of Raleigh and Kennedy Anne Hiner and Edwin "Winn" Lee Hiner of New Bern. He is also survived by siblings Horace Richard Hiner Jr. (Cheryl) of Lynchburg, VA, John Walter Hiner (Elizabeth) of New Bern and...

Frances Purvis Rock passed away on July, 22, 2022. She was born on April 5, 1928, in Ft. Worth Texas, the only child of Frank H. and Sophia Bahan Purvis. She attended The Hockaday School in Dallas, TX and attended University of Colorado in Boulder where she received a bachelor's degree in English. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. While there, she met and married her husband, Frank D Rock II, in 1949. After a brief time in Washington DC, they moved to Gordonsville VA to raise their family in the beautiful countryside. For 20 years there, Frances was the ultimate homemaker, wife and mother. She was quite a seamstress, making her own clothes, drapes and slipcovers. She knitted...

William Paul Lea, Jr., 91, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, beloved husband of Elizabeth Stephens Lea, entered into eternal rest Tuesday, July 5, 2022. His funeral service will be held July 12th in Charleston, South Carolina and his interment will be in Lynchburg, Virginia at a later date to be determined. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Mount Pleasant. Bill was born July 10, 1930, in Lynchburg, Virginia, son of the late William Paul Lea, Sr. and Mallie Estelle Miles Lea. He met the love of his life, Elizabeth Stephens, at EC Glass High in Lynchburg. Elizabeth was with him through it all - as he played football and baseball for Duke University, endured bootcamp at Parris Island and...

Gregory Johnson Hale was born on May 8, 1969, in Lynchburg, VA to Parents: Max Hale, and Linda Thompson Hale and died June 21, 2022, in Hilton Head Island, SC. Greg left us unexpectedly, moving on to his next life, leaving behind devastated family and friends, especially his wife Lisa. Greg was deeply loved by so many and was frequently referred to simply as "such a good person". Greg served as Project Manager with the Superior Court of the District of Columbia since 2002. Graduated from Radford University with a degree in Journalism and loved his ability to work with the close, bright and dedicated colleagues he came to see as part of his extended family. In no particular order, Greg...

Hazel Belcher Sprinkle, 91, of Granite Falls, NC, departed for her heavenly home on Sunday, May 8, 2022 surrounded by loved ones. She was born September 10, 1930 in Tazewell, VA. She was a former resident of Chesapeake, VA and Madison Heights, VA. She was the daughter of the late John Belcher and Savanna Harvey Belcher. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond McKinley Sprinkle Sr.; infant son, Jerry Allen Sprinkle; brother, Warren Frank Belcher; and sisters: Virginia Frances Bond, Evelyn Marie, Bernice Elizabeth, Wanda Lois, Lee Moore, Malva Patricia, and Karen Beatrice. She is survived by her children: Raymond M. (Charlene) Sprinkle Jr., James (Vivian) Sprinkle,...

Hazel Belcher Sprinkle, 91, of Granite Falls, NC, departed for her heavenly home on Sunday, May 8, 2022 surrounded by loved ones. She was born September 10, 1930 in Tazewell, VA. She was a former resident of Chesapeake, VA and Madison Heights, VA. She was the daughter of the late John Belcher and Savanna Harvey Belcher. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond McKinley Sprinkle Sr.; infant son, Jerry Allen Sprinkle; brother, Warren Frank Belcher; and sisters: Virginia Frances Bond, Evelyn Marie, Bernice Elizabeth, Wanda Lois, Lee Moore, Malva Patricia, and Karen Beatrice. She is survived by her children: Raymond M. (Charlene) Sprinkle Jr. of Landrum, SC, James (Vivian)...

Let Us Pause To Honor the Memory of Mrs. Julie Marie Geissler Greco Mrs. Julie Marie Geissler Greco, age 57, of Madison, Indiana, entered this life on September 15, 1964 in Lynchburg, Virginia. She was the loving daughter of the late George Geissler and Diana Fettig Geissler. She was raised in Lynchburg and was a 1983 graduate of Brooksville High School. Julie went on and attended Central Virginia Community College and received a degree. She began a career in the legal field for several law firms. After 9/11, she started working in real estate for 12 years in Winston Salem, North Carolina. On August 23, 2003, Julie was united in marriage to Michael Greco in Winston Salem. She was blessed...

Dan was born on December 26, 1934 in Joplin Missouri, the first of four children to Harold Eugene and Sarah Kathleen Wetherell. He was the first to attend college in his family. He spent one year at Bethany Nazarene College, later renamed Southern Nazarene University, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma before enlisting in the United States Air Force. Between his time in Oklahoma City and reporting for duty in the Air Force, Dan proposed to and married Shirley June Browder. They were married on September 16, 1955 and remained married for 65 years, until her passing on May 13, 2021. While serving in the Air Force Dan was assigned as a nuclear weapons technician at Westover Air Force Base near...

Gordon Wayne " Gordy " Richardson, 88, of Isle of Palms, husband of Claire Marie (Dick) Richardson of 65 years, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, February 17, 2022, surrounded by his family. Born on December 17, 1933, in Seattle, Washington, to the late Harold Lincoln Richardson and Dorothy (Hennessey) Richardson. In addition to his wife, Gordy is survived by his brother Harold Richardson (Irene); daughter, Marie Hoffman (Michael); his sons, Wayne Richardson (Katie) and Keith Richardson, grandchildren Alison (Rich), Carolyn, Mark, Lawrence (Shelby), Austin and Boston. Gordy is preceded in death by his parents and his son, Clark Richardson. Gordy graduated from Lincoln HS where he...

Clara Margaret Hull Ward, age 88, of Myrtle Beach, passed away February 1, 2022 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Clara was born March 13, 1933 in Martinsburg, West Virginia, a daughter of the late Roy & Genevieve Hull. Clara attended the Shenadoah Conservatory of Music where she graduated in 1955 with a Bachelors of Music Education Degree majoring in piano and minoring in organ. She went on to teach music for the public schools in Michigan, West Virginia and Delaware before she retired after 40 years of dedicated service. She also served as church organist for several different churches over the years including Patmos United Methodist Church and Huddleston United Methodist Church, both in...

with family by his side. Arrangements by:

Charles W. Ford, DDS August 16, 1945 - January 13, 2022 Charles W. Ford, 76, passed away at home in Surfside Beach, SC on January 13, 2022 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Charlie and Pat lived in Lynchburg, VA for over 26 years. Charlie is survived by his wife of 52 years, Pat Ford. He is also survived by two beloved daughters, Laurie Ford of Wilmington, NC and Karey Garrison (David) of Madison Heights, VA; grandchildren Peter and Mary Elizabeth, also of Madison Heights; brother Kiah T. Ford, III (Jean) and sister Helen Ford all of Lynchburg, VA; nephews, cousins and friends. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday January 17, 2022 All Saints Church, Pawleys...

Unexpectedly passed away on Nov 4,2021 at the age of 84 in his Hilton Head ,SC home. He enjoyed being AKA "Santa Wes". 61 years with devoted wife, Mary Lou. They were fortunate to have a blessed life with loads of traveling and many fantastic friends. Father of Bruce Bowles and Dawn Welsh, Grandson Evan Bowles. Loved golf and Virginia Tech sports. Volunteered for many events and local Lynchburg, VA Jaycee President, District and State Vice President. Please send donations to: Deep Well Project, P.O. Box 5543, Hilton Head Island, SC 29938 90% of funds are awarded. www.keithfuneral.com.

Sue Moyer, 92 of Calhoun, GA formally of Marietta, GA died Saturday, October 30, 2021. Visitation will be Saturday, November 6, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Carmichael Funeral Home Marietta, GA with Graveside services to follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Cheatham Hill Cemetery, Marietta, GA with Dr. Don Mason officiating. She was born in Pennington Gap, VA to Worley Otis Dean and Florence Ida Jeanette Scarborough Dean. She graduated from St. Charles High School in St. Charles, VA. After graduation she attended Virginia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Lynchburg, VA where she became a Registered Nurse. She moved to Smyrna, GA in 1965 and lived in Cobb County until her move to Calhoun in...